Markstrom starts slow again as Panthers fall 3-2 in OT to Jets

Panthers remain in NHL basement as second half begins

March 8, 2013|By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel

SUNRISE — Less than 24 hours after being pulled for giving up two awful goals on the first two shots he faced in an embarassing 7-1 loss to the Capitals, Panthers coach Kevin Dineen didn't hesitate to put rookie goalie Jacob Markstrom right back on the proverbial horse Friday night against the Winnipeg Jets.

The long-legged Swede stumbled out of the gate again, but this time regained his stride before stumbling at the finish line.

After giving up another paper-mache goal on the Jets' first shot and two on seven in the first period, a shaky Markstrom settled down. But he couldn't prevent a game-winning goal by Dustin Byfuglien with 40.5 seconds left in overtime for a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Friday night at the BB&T Center.

The injury-ravaged Panthers have lost five of six (1-3-2), including four of their last five (1-3-1) against Southeast Division brethren to fall deeper into the NHL basement as the second half of this congested season begins.

The Panthers are 1-6 in overtime and 0-3-1 in second games of back-to-backs, while the Jets improve to 3-1 in OT and 3-1 in back-to-backs after beating Tampa Thursday.

"We had some good offensive opportunities, but you lose five points in overtime at home makes it extremly tough on us so the big picture has a little bit of a sting to it,'' Dineen said. "We didn't get off to a great start, a little hesitant off the bat, looking like a team that arrived at 3 a.m.''

Trailing 2-1 after two periods the Panthers tied it at 5:50 when the hustle of Jack Skille allowed Tomas Kopecky to snatch the puck and cross it to a streaking Shawn Matthias, who buried it top shelf to at least earn a point.

“We had the momentum but didn’t finish what we started,’’ Matthias said. “They were sitting on their heels. I thought we were going to come out and get that third goal and win. That’s the botttom line, we got to win.’’

The Panthers couldn't capitalize on two power plays in the third period and went 0-for-4 against the Jets' 29th-ranked PK unit.

Dineen felt Markstrom's AHL experience in back-to-back sets would prepare him for a rebound game.

"He's been given a real quality opportunity right now and I have a strong belief in him that he could be a premier player in the league, and the opportunity's knocking on the door,'' he said before the game.

Unfortunately, Markstrom is suffering from opening-game jitters. Although not quite as fast as the Capitals' first goal on Thursday, Andrew Ladd's soft wrister deflected off Markstrom's glove and skate before crossing the goal line as the net came off its moorings 2:35 into the first period for his 13th red-lighter.

"It's never how you want to start a hockey game,'' Markstrom said. "I felt better and better coming into the second period and the guys did a heckuva job in the third to tie it up.''

After Pavelec flashed much quicker leather to stone Drew Shore and Brian Campbell on a first-period power play, the Jets made it 2-0 at 17:48 on their sixth shot.

Campbell inexplicably backed off a charging Blake Wheeler and gave him a free ride in the slot where he froze Markstrom with a high-rise goal.

The sparse audience woke up with 12.9 seconds left when Huberdeau somehow emerged from a traffic jam in the crease with his team-leading 12th goal, but not before a long review from the Toronto replay judges.

Markstrom kept the Panthers close with a sprawling save against James Wright on a 2-on-1 shorthanded break midway through the scoreless second period.

Versteeg is back

Panthers forward Kris Versteeg, who has played in just seven of 24 games because of groin and rib injuries, returned to the lineup against a team he has eight goals and 13 points in the last seven games, including all three of his points this season.

He was held pointless.

Strachan not suspended

Panthers defenseman Tyson Strachan will not be suspended for a penalized hit to the head of Capitals forward Jason Chimera in the second period Thursday.

Strachan received a five-minute major for interference and a 10-minute game misconduct. Chimera appeared woozy, but returned to the game.